The Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off tonight in France with a heavyweight clash between the hosts and the All Blacks, two teams tipped to go far in the tournament. It should be a close, enthralling game to start seven weeks of rugby with a bang. Paris is sweltering ahead of kick-off, with temperatures reaching 35C in the French capital, and things will only get hotter inside the stadium by the time the All Blacks perform the haka, with Les Bleus not always the most accommodating in the face of the ritual.
Either way, New Zealand have a point to prove, and tonight at the Stade de France would be no better time or place to do it, after being handed the biggest defeat in their history by South Africa two weeks ago. The All Blacks are three-time world champions but only once have they conquered all on foreign soil. France are looking for their first tournament win, and have rarely been better positioned to do so.
France have been transformed by Fabien Galthie, and have lost just once on home soil during the head coach’s reign, while New Zealand have never lost a World Cup pool game – something has to give tonight. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog as the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris!
Live updates
34min: France the lineout and roll the maul to the 22 until Whitelock dives in from the side and gives away another penalty.
It’s a tricky one for Ramos though, and he narrowly sends it wide.
32min: Dupont wins a turnover off Savea and hands off for Penaud to boot up field, prompting a foot chase between Barrett and Dupont but the former wins.
29min: Ramos makes no mistake, France lead!
28min: A scrum on the halfway line straight from the restart which collapses to hand France a penalty, De Groot the guilty party again.
26min: Mo’unga makes no mistake, All Blacks lead 8-6.
25min: New Zealand are on the line after more than 10 phases of play, but France are penalised for offside and NZ will go for the posts.
23min: The speed of the All Blacks is stunning and find themselves inside the French 22 after another burst from Barrett. Another try looking inevitable…
PENALTY!
20min: Ramos doubles up with a penalty after a collapsed scrum, and France lead!
19min: The crowd react to another burst through midfield by New Zealand by chanting “Allez les Blues, Allez les Blues, Allez les Blues”. You feel France will need everyone behind them tonight, and appear to have that.
16min: A big, big groan from the home fan as Mauvaka storms down the wing but is wiped out near the 22 – but was that after the ball had gone? It looked like it.
Everyone is so fired up.
